Pages

Monday, February 13, 2012

Februrary 12, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day

Strawberry Flax Smoothie

serves 2 ~ $1.28 per serving

Just two tablespoons of flax seeds, weighing in at 95 calories, contains
over 140% of the daily value of omega 3 fatty acids. These fatty acids
can protect against diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and
also decrease inflammation. Because the nutrients in flax seeds are
better absorbed when ground ~ and a lot more palatable! ~ I've used the
ground seeds in this recipe.

ingredients

2 bananas, frozen and sliced ($.50)

1 cup frozen strawberries ($1.00)

4 tablespoons flax seeds, ground ($.40)

1 cup almond milk ($.45)

a few almonds, chopped

directions

In a blender, combine all ingredients and puree until very smooth.

Garnish with a few chopped almonds, if desired.

nutrition information, per serving

calories: 308 fat: 11 gr carb: 55 protein: 7 gr

Chocolate Toast

serves 2 ~ $.55 per serving

4 slices good french bread, cut in half ($.30)

2 tablespoons olive oil, for toasting ($.20)

2 tablespoons coconut oil ($.20)

1 tablespoon agave ($.10)

2 to 3 tablespoons cocoa powder ($.30)

pinch salt

sliced strawberries

This is so easy yet so elegant.

Toast slices of good french bread in a pan with olive oil.

In a small bowl, mix together the
coconut oil, agave, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt until it's a very
smooth, slightly thick sauce. I made mine with 3 tablespoons cocoa
powder, which makes a really dark sauce. For less chocolatey-ness (but
who wants that!?), use less ... 2 tablespoons would be good, I think,
but it's a "to taste" thing.

Spoon a bit of the chocolate sauce on each slice of toast, and top with some sliced strawberries.

calories: 394

fat: 28 gr

carbs: 36 gr

protein: 6 gr

Beet and Carrot Salad

serves 2 ~ $2.85 per serving

2 beets, sliced ($1.20)

3 carrots, sliced ($.40)

1 medium onion, sliced

2 tablespoons olive oil ($.20)

2 tablespoons lemon juice ($.40)

2 tablespoons agave ($.20)

1 clove garlic, pressed

5 ounces spinach ($2.29)

1/4 cup walnuts ($1.00)

salt and pepper

I had a downright aversion to beets until I tried Jenny Cornbleet's shaved beet salad. Now, I really like them. Not love, but like. And that's quite a change. By the way, if you experience beeturia, don't worry, it's harmless ... although it can indicate iron deficiency.

This salad is also really
convenient. I sliced and marinated the veggies the night before and let
them sit in the fridge until lunch the next day and just tossed them in
with the spinach.

Slice the beets, carrots, and
onions thinly into a lidded container, I use a zip lock box. Whisk
together the olive oil, lemon juice, agave, and garlic and pour over the
veggies. Put the lid on and shake to distribute the dressing well. Put
in the fridge for a few hours or up to two days. Toss with a generous
helping of spinach, some chopped or whole walnuts, salt and pepper, and
a bit of the marinade.

calories: 378

fat: 24 gr

carbs: 40 gr

protein: 6 gr

Chocolate Hemp Ice Cream

serves 2 ~ $1.45 per serving

4 bananas, sliced and frozen ($.80)

8 tablespoons hemp protein ($1.60)

1 cup hemp milk ($.50)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

pinch salt

a few drops stevia

1 tablespoon chopped cashews

cacao nibs

sliced strawberries

This makes a big and hearty dessert and it was
delectable enough that Alexandria couldn't resist trying to sneak a
taste, even while I was taking pics of it. It's also a tasty way to up
your protein intake if you find you're getting a little low.

In a blender, puree all ingredients until very
smooth. Add more hemp milk, if necessary for ease of blending. Then,
process in an ice cream maker until firm. If an ice cream maker is
unavailable, either drink as a shake (I love it this way), or pour into a
container and freeze for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Top with
the chopped cashews, cacao nibs, and sliced strawberries.

calories: 382

fat: 17 g

carbs: 52 g

protein: 23 g

Froodles and Meatballs

serves 2 ~ $1.80

1/2 cup walnuts ($.50)

1/2 cup raisins ($.40)

1 cup strawberries ($.50)

2 tablespoons agave ($.40)

1 mango, sliced into noodles ($1.49)

1/2 cup coconut flakes ($.30)

I thought this was fun. I was going to try to make ice cream into noodles, but this seemed a lot easier!

It's probably easiest to make the
meatballs first. In a food processor fitted with an "S" blade, process
the walnuts and raisins until the mix begins to stick together. Form
into balls just slightly smaller than a tablespoon each and set aside.

In
a small or bullet type blender, puree the strawberries and agave until
very smooth. Slice and mango into noodles and mound on plates. Add some
coconut flakes. Place the meatballs on top and pour the strawberry sauce
over.

calories: 566

fat: 31 gr

carbs: 67 gr

protein: 6 gr

Simple Raw Vegan Chocolate Frosted Brownie ... for Two

serves 2 ~ $1.65 per serving

90% of Americans have at least some chocolate nearly every day, and
it’s usually thought of as a guilty pleasure rather than a healthy
indulgence. However, there are health benefits to be had from chocolate,
especially when the unhealthy ingredients are left out.

Did you know?

Chocolate
has more antioxidants than blueberries, green tea, and red wine, and
nearly eight times the antioxidants found in strawberries.

Dark chocolate has been shown to lower high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol.

Cacao contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay.

Consuming
chocolate triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s endogenous
opiates and the feel good chemicals responsible for the “runner’s high.”

By weight, cocoa powder has more protein than eggs.
This is a great way to get some antioxidants and share a yummy dessert with a friend!

ingredients

brownie

1/2 cup cashews ($1.00)

1/2 cup raisins ($.75)

4 tablespoons cacao powder ($.80)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla ($.05)

pinch salt

frosting

1 tablespoon coconut oil ($.10)

1 tablespoon agave ($.20)

2 tablespoons cacao powder ($.40)

shredded coconut for topping

directions

In a food processor fitted with an "S" blade, process the cashews until finely ground and powdery (but not oily).

Add the raisins, cacao powder, vanilla, and salt, and process again until the mixture starts sticking together.

Press the brownie mixture firmly into the mold of your choice. I
used a rectangular miniature tart pan with a removable bottom. Release
onto a plate.

For the frosting, stir together the coconut oil, agave, and cacao powder until smooth.

chenaraw ... I have an ice cream maker (I won it in a giveaway, over at Hi Ho Rosies :) and I LOVE it and use it all the time. They're quite inexpensive and, especially in the summer, are fantastic for frozen treats.

i want to post the chocolate facts to THE WHOLE WORLD. so many people think chocolate is unhealthy, bad for u, a bad indulgence. right, if they think of a snickers bar or "confectionary" milk chocolates. but chocolate in its raw form is just fantastic and i feel bad for the people who never get to experience it and truly ENJOY chocolate!